(Fossomborone) Canadian Derek Gee took second place in the eighth stage of the Giro d’Italia on Sunday, while Primoz Roglic closed the gap at the top of the general classification.
Gee of Ottawa was edged only by Ben Healy, who won the stage with a solo breakaway. Andreas Leknessund kept the lap leader’s pink jersey, even if his lead has faded.
Healy was part of a breakaway early in the stage and broke away from the small group on the first of two short but very difficult climbs of the Muro dei Cappuccini, with a grade of 19%.
This put the Irishman ahead of Gee and Filippo Zanna by 1 minute and 49 seconds.
“I thought it was the right strategy,” Healy said. I didn’t want to waste this winning opportunity and my legs had been good all day. »
Roglic also took advantage of the same climb to go on the attack and he stole 14 seconds from his rival Remco Evenepoel at the end of the 207 kilometer course between Terni and Fossombrone.
Leknessund saw their lead at the top of the general classification reduced to eight seconds ahead of Evenepoel. Roglic climbed to third, 38 seconds off the lead.
“It’s a relief to keep the pink jersey after such a difficult effort at the end,” said Leknessund. I expected this fight before the climb. I probably wouldn’t have pushed so hard if I hadn’t had the pink jersey. »
Roglic has three Tour of Spain titles to his name. Evenepoel also won this Grand Tour last year and is the reigning world champion.
Sunday, during the ninth stage, the cyclists will participate in a 35-kilometer individual time trial on a flat course between Savignano sul Rubicone and Cesena.
The Tour of Italy will end on May 28 in Rome.